Summary of the Past YearThe AGM reported how in its first year the Business Improvement District has sought to deliver a multitude of projects across the BID area, usually under the themes of marketing, arts/culture and the built environment (making the streets look more attractive for shoppers).

A full report summarising projects managed directly via the BID and Town Team or supported either financially or via our marketing platform will be printed and circulated during the next month.

Planning the Forthcoming Year (2014/2015)We are about to start planning how next year’s BID income should be spent - we will be holding open meetings for businesses on East Street, North Street and West Street throughout the summer to gather more feedback plus special meetings of the marketing and built environment groups. We need your best ideas! A series of August meetings will be announced shortly.

Skills WeekBedminster traders and locals opened their doors to share skills as part of 100 programmed events for Bedminster Skills Week. Events of the week included Alexander Technique workshops, graffiti lessons and crafty sessions with Paper Village, all held in venues scattered around the area creating a hop-scotch path for visitors and residents to jump onto and join in. Skills Week was undoubtedly one of the best projects of the Town Team (ran jointly with the neighbourhood partnership) and plans are already afoot to repeat and grow next year.

Bristol Independents Day - 4th July 2014!Independents Day is held in the UK on 4th July to celebrate independent businesses. The aim of the day is to draw attention to independent businesses and help raise awareness and footfall.

Run a special event, provide a special offer on the day or just provide something different to normal. You could extend this over the weekend if you wish. Send your offer by email to bristolindependents@gmail.com so that it can be uploaded on to the website, and include any special instructions which customers will need in order to claim their offer e.g. show your Bristol Independents Day card at the till.

Display special Bristol Independents Day cards to promote the day (these will be printed and distributed across the city). If you would like some cards please email bristolindependents@gmail.com

You don’t need to provide an all-day offer in order to take part. Be creative! Some examples of possible Independents Day promotions include:

- Creating a special Independents Day dish- Free reusable shopping bags for certain number of customers- Independents Day meal deals such as a reduced price for coffee + cake- Taster sessions – music lessons, sewing and craft making, children’s soft play, gym and DIY- Offers on bicycles and servicing, clothing, jewellery, haircut and beauty therapyIt's free to businesses to take part!Write about your special event, offer and post pictures on Facebook/Twitter (see Bristol Independents on Facebook and @BristolIndies or #BristolIndies hashtag on Twitter).

Bristol City Council, Outset Bristol, City of Bristol College, the Federation of Small Businesses and Destination Bristol will be using the day to promote the range of support available to start-up and existing businesses.